Cal Spring Football Experience A Success

BERKELEY – There were several shining moments during the 2014 Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management that wrapped up the Golden Bears’ spring practice sessions on a beautiful Saturday at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. An estimated crowd of 2,500 enjoyed the free event that included a wide array of fan participation activities highlighted by touchdown dance and Bear growl competitions.

“I thought it was a little bit of a mixed bag,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “I thought defensively it was really good and then I thought the offense settled in a little bit in the second half. There wasn’t a ton of big plays, but I thought it was pretty clean. There weren’t a lot of penalties.”

“The fact that we were able to have eight physical, tough practices and do a lot of live tackling while staying relatively healthy was incredibly encouraging,” Dykes added about the team’s entire spring practice sessions. “It shows the progress that we’re making as a football team in strength and conditioning and the overall toughness of the kids in our program and our mentality.”

The action on offense Saturday was highlighted by an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Kenny Lawler for the first score of the contest, while Daniel Lasco and Jeffrey Coprich later added one-yard touchdown runs.

“We’re done with last year,” Goff said. “We’re done with everything that had to do with last year. We’re a brand new team now and we’re ready to go.”

Goff finished the afternoon 14-of-23 for 170 yards and one touchdown, while Lawler had a game-high four catches for 30 yards and his score. Bryce Treggs recorded his game-high 47 receiving yards on a pair of receptions and was one of 12 players to make at least one catch during the game. Treggs picked up 37 yards on the gam’s longest offensive play on his second and final catch to the two-yard line that set up Coprich’s score.

“We’re two or three deep at every [wide receiver] position that I think honestly have NFL potential,” Goff said. “I’m just so fortunate to have that receiving core out there willing to make plays. They all want all the ball and they all want to make plays. It’s really, really lucky for me.”

“Today was one of the best days I’ve seen them so far since I’ve been here,” Goff added about the offensive line. “They did great. I had almost no pressure on me at all times. It was just fantastic how well they did today.”

Lasco picked up his game-high 35 rushing yards on six carries, while Coprich had 32 on 11 rushes.

Ray Davison registered a game-high seven tackles, while Damariay Drew and Jalen Jefferson picked up six each. Jefferson also picked off Austin Hinder in the defensive end zone for the game’s lone interception, while Kyle Kragen and Bradley Northnagel had fumble recoveries.

“You can see a lot of improvement [out of the defensive unit],” Brennan Scarlett said. “Today I would say we we’re out there dominating in my opinion. We were doing pretty well all spring.”

Cal’s 2014 regular-season schedule features six games at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium and a Friday match-up against Oregon that will be the first collegiate football game at the new Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara on Oct. 24. Cal will host Sacramento State (Sept. 6), Colorado (Sept. 27), Washington (Oct. 11, Alumni & Family Weekend/Homecoming), UCLA (Oct. 18, Joe Roth Game), Stanford (Nov. 22) and BYU (Nov. 29, Senior Day) in Berkeley.

The Bears visit Northwestern to open the season (Aug. 30), Arizona (Sept. 20), Washington State (Oct. 4), Oregon State (Nov. 1) and USC (Nov. 13), with the tilt against the Trojans on a Thursday night.

APRIL 25, 2014

Bears Make Final Preparations for Saturday’s Spring Experience

BERKELEY – Cal practiced for the final time this spring Wednesday in advance of the Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management this Saturday at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Gates will open for Saturday’s free event at 10 a.m. PT. The event will be televised live by the Pac-12 Networks beginning at 11 a. m. PT. The wide array of activities for the event are scheduled to include …

Live Scrimmage – Watch the Bears in action during a live team scrimmage

Run On The Field With The Bears – First 100 fans in attendance receive a ticket good for the opportunity to lead the Bears onto the field through the North Tunnel

Youth Clinic – Free 30-minute clinic on the field for youth eighth grade and below (registration begins at 10 a.m. on Lisa and Douglas Goldman Plaza)

In-Game Events and Activities – Lucky fans will be able to win great prizes for competing in on-field promotional events

Field Club – The exclusive Field Club will be open featuring food and beverages, two levels of seating to relax and over 20 televisions to watch the event on the Pac-12 Networks

Food Options – Concession stands managed by Cal Dining will also be open for business on the main concourse

Appearances by Oski, Cal Spirit and the Cal Band

Pregame Fun Zone and Kids Activities

Cal Bears Shop Merchandise Sale

Cal’s 2014 regular-season schedule features six games at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium and a Friday match-up against Oregon that will be the first collegiate football game at the new Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara on Oct. 24. Cal will host Sacramento State (Sept. 6), Colorado (Sept. 27), Washington (Oct. 11, Alumni & Family Weekend/Homecoming), UCLA (Oct. 18), Stanford (Nov. 22) and BYU (Nov. 29) in Berkeley.

The Bears visit Northwestern (Aug. 31), Arizona (Sept. 20), Washington State (Oct. 4), Oregon State (Nov. 1) and USC (Nov. 13), with the tilt against the Trojans on a Thursday night.

APRIL 23, 2014

Inside The Lair: Faculty Fellows

BERKELEY – Not everyone on the Cal sideline during spring football practice is carrying a play card or setting up equipment.

Some are able to explain the finer points of macroeconomic theory.

That is a result of the Bears’ Faculty Fellows program, where members of the Cal faculty visit practice throughout the spring. The idea is to bring the football program and the faculty together and alleviate any preexisting stereotypes about football and student-athletes at Cal.

“I think meeting and getting to know student-athletes and getting to know the various systems for the different teams helps you understand all that’s involved in being a student-athlete,” said Martha Olney, an adjunct professor in Cal’s Department of Economics. “One of the things that always impresses me about the student-athletes is how incredibly good they have to be at time management. In order to be able to complete the various tasks takes a lot of skill at time management. That always impresses me a lot.”

At any given practice, a small group of faculty members may be on hand to observe all of the different activities that take place at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium and the Simpson Center. Professors meet with different coaches and staff members, attend position meetings and more.

“The thing that we wanted to do was make it as realistic an experience as we could, in terms of making it in-depth so the faculty members could see all the different people that touch the lives of the student-athlete – everything they go through on a day-to-day basis, all the different pulls on their time and all the responsibilities they have,” Cal head coach Sonny Dykes said. “We all want the same thing. We all want kids to graduate, come to Cal and leave better than they were before.” Read more.

APRIL 21, 2014

APRIL 20, 2014

Cal Football Practice Report – Big Plays, Big Day

BERKELEY – On the first live play of practice Saturday running back Daniel Lasco ran around the right end for a 35-yard gain as the Golden Bears were simulating a fourth-and-one situation. It was the first of many big plays by the team’s offense but the defensive also had a strong day on a gorgeous spring afternoon at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Among the notes and highlights from the team’s 12th practice of the spring were …

The offense successfully converting six-of-eight times during live fourth-and-1 simulations early in practice but on the two occasions they didn’t convert Trevor Kelly racking up an eight-yard tackle for loss and Todd Barr a four-yard sack

The offense starting the first regular live team period by marching 75 yards down the field on 11 plays and scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run by Lasco

The defense dominating the remainder of the first live team period with five consecutive stops including a trio of three-and-outs and defensive highlights from Barr (pass breakup), Kyle Kragen (sack), Puka Lopa (1.5 sacks, forced fumble), Michael Lowe (pass breakup), Brennan Scarlett (half-sack) and Cameron Walker (pass breakup), while the offense had two additional fumbles

The return of the offense in force during the second live team period with the first-team unit scoring on each of its two possessions on Jared Goff touchdown passes of 12 and 19 yards to Bryce Treggs and Kenny Lawler, while also hitting Trevor Davis for a 54-yard gain on the first play of the drive that ended with Lawler’s touchdown

An 86-yard scoring hookup between Austin Hinder and Davis later in the team period

QUICK QUOTES

Head Coach Sonny DykesOn the team’s live work Saturday“I thought it was really good. I thought it was clean for the most part. We still had a couple of problems with the snaps here and there, but other than that I thought it was pretty clean. We didn’t have a ton of penalties. I thought the guys executed pretty well on both sides. We made some big plays on offense. We did a good job getting the ball to guys when they had single coverage and guys made some plays. I thought defensively we did a lot of good things. We gave up a couple of big plays that obviously we need to get fixed, but I like the way the defense is running to the ball. Guys are flying around and our tackling is much improved. I liked what I saw for the most part.”

On the number of plays ran Saturday“I think we were probably in the high 80’s, close to 90. This is the longest [scrimmage] we’ve had. We’ll see how healthy we are. We’ll go on Wednesday again in full pads and probably get another 60 or 70 plays on Wednesday and then get probably 60 or 70 plays in the spring game. We’re getting a lot of live work done, and I think it’s helping us.”

On quarterback Jared Goff“The last week and a half he’s really starting to come on. He was rusty early; I think offensively we were rusty early. We were kind of experimenting, made a couple of changes. We were doing some things a little bit differently. He hadn’t been throwing a lot, so he wasn’t as sharp as he has been. Now he’s back. I felt like last week he was kind of back to his old self, and I feel like this week he’s improved. That’s what you want. You want to see him get better all the time.”

On the team’s health“We’ve probably gone three times as many live snaps as we did last year, and we’ve had no injuries, not one so far. We’ve had a couple of pulled muscles here and there but nothing that’s been anything significant at all. I think it shows that our team’s in better shape. I think it shows that our team is more physical, more physically developed, stronger. I’m excited about the progress we’re making that way.”

Wide Receiver Trevor DavisOn the first of his two long receptions“It was a deep post. Bryce [Treggs] took away the safety and it was just a wide-open shot down the middle of the field. I got caught from the back though, couldn’t score on that one, but that was a big play.”

On scoring and not getting caught from behind on the second of his two long receptions to score a touchdown“Damariay [Drew] came from out of nowhere, I didn’t even know where he was coming from and he almost tackled me. Luckily, I got away and got a touchdown on that one.”

On the team’s offense“This is the funnest offense to play in. I’ve played in three so far and this is the funnest offense by far. It’s a great offense and coaching staff also.”

APRIL 19, 2014

Bears Going Through Dress Rehearsals This Spring

By Jonathan Okanes

Cal Bear Blog

BERKELEY –Sonny Dykes figures the best way to get better at football is to play football.

Cal’s head football coach is putting his players in as many game-like situations as possible this spring, taking full advantage of NCAA rules that permit eight fully padded practices and maximizing the Golden Bears’ exposure to what they might experience in a game.

“The biggest thing is just learning how to play football,” Dykes said. “Just tackle and get off blocks – all the stuff you have to do in a football game. We knew coming in this year that we were going to rely on a lot of young players, so we felt like a lot of young guys just need to learn how to tackle and be in those types of game situations as much as they can. We’re such a young program that I think it’s important for their growth to be placed in live situations.”

The Bears are going in full pads in all eight practices in which they are allowed. Simulating game conditions forces players to focus even more on the fundamentals than they would otherwise do drill work.

“It simulates more team-type stuff – for offensive lineman, to hold your block longer,” Cal offensive tackle Steven Moore said. “You might have a running back who will break a tackle and then break another tackle. In shells, they hit you and you stop. When it’s live, you have the opportunity to keep going.” Read more.

Spencer Hagan Receives Tiny Bates Award

SACRAMENTO – The California Grid Club of Sacramento honored former Cal wide receiver Spencer Hagan as its recipient of the 2014 Henry J. “Tiny” Bates Award. Cal head coach Sonny Dykes presented the award during the Grid Club’s annual Tiny Bates Award Dinner on Thursday evening at the Lions Gate Hotel in North Highlands.

“I am so very honored to have received the Henry J. ‘Tiny’ Bates Award,” Hagan said. “The Sacramento Grid Club and president Gary Slavit were great hosts and created an infectious atmosphere of Cal spirit and tradition. Over the years I have given a lot to the University, but the great thing about Cal is that it gives back so much more in return. My thanks go out to coach Dykes, my teammates, the Sacramento Grid Club and my family for all the support because I know I would not be where I am or who I am without the investment of these people in my life.” Read more.

APRIL 16, 2014

Cal Football Practice Report – Playing Ball

BERKELEY – Cal continued its emphasis on live football Wednesday when the Golden Bears conducted their 10th practice of the spring in full pads at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium.

“The biggest thing was that we just had to learn how to play football – tackle, get off blocks, do all the things you have to do in a football game,” Dykes said about the team’s increased live action this spring. “According to Pac-12 rules, we’re allowed to have eight full tackle practices. We didn’t want to rely on the typical three scrimmages that people have where they’ll go with 120-play scrimmages. Our thought was to spread it out a little bit and actually get more live reps.”

“What happens lots of times during those scrimmage situations is that you get a lot of guys hurt when they start getting tired,” Dykes added. “I think it’s helped keep us more healthy this spring because we haven’t had those long team periods that drag on where guys fatigue and have a tendency to get injured. We have tried to keep the team periods relatively short, and I think it’s paid off for us.”

Wednesday’s workout included several strong plays on the defensive side of the ball as well as a few offensive highlights during a live period that concluded practice with highlights and including …

An interception and 16-yard return by Michael Lowe

Sacks by Antione Davis, Edward Tandy and Harrison Wilfley, with the final two coming on the final two plays of the period

A tackle for loss by Drew Bryant

Pass breakups by David Garner and Lowe

Jared Goff connecting with Stephen Anderson for a 34-yard completion

Jeffrey Coprich ripping off a 38-yard run

Cal’s next practice at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium will be open to the public this Friday, April 18 (3:45 p.m. PT).

The Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management Group is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 (11 a.m. PT). The free event to be televised live by Pac-12 Networks at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium will conclude four weeks of spring workouts. Gates open one hour in advance at 10 a.m. PT, with a host of activities including …

Run On The Field With The Bears – First 100 fans in attendance receive a ticket good for the opportunity to lead the Bears onto the field through the North Tunnel

Youth Clinic – Free 30-minute clinic on the field for youth eighth grade and below (registration begins at 10 a.m. on Lisa and Douglas Goldman Plaza)

In-Game Events and Activities – Lucky fans will be able to win great prizes for competing in on-field promotional events

Appearances by Oski, Cal Spirit and the Cal Band

Pregame Fun Zone and Kids Activities

Cal Bears Shop Merchandise Sale

APRIL 14, 2014

Q&A with Chris Borrayo

BERKELEY – Just a sophomore, offensive lineman Chris Borrayo is already a key component on California’s offensive line. After making his collegiate debut last year at Washington on Oct. 26, Borrayo gained valuable experience last year that will give him some momentum heading into fall camp and the 2014 season. CalBears.com had a chance to sit down and catch up with Borrayo after Monday afternoon’s practice.

CalBears.com: Do you feel any pressure having a large role on the offensive line as a sophomore?

Chris Borrayo: Since fall camp last year, from about the second or third week, I was with the two’s. So, starting with my first game in Washington, I felt like I had been prepared the entire way.

CB: How did it feel the first time you got on the field and made your collegiate debut last year?

Borrayo: I was really excited. In high school, I felt a little jittery because the guys out there with me weren’t as competent. But here, I know I’m with guys who are better than me or know what they’re doing. That helped me feel really secure.

CB: How much has playing last year helped you this spring?

Borrayo: My confidence is way up because of it. Since I was starting with the one’s last year, I had to learn all the plays and learn everything quickly. Now, I’m picking it all back up again easily. After the first three days of spring ball, I knew it was just fundamentals that I need to work on out here. I’m not worried about an upcoming game and opposing defenses. So I’ve been able to just focus on my technique. Read more.

APRIL 12, 2014

You Name It, He Can Play It

By Tim Miguel

Need a fullback, receiver, tight end, safety, linebacker or quarterback? Call Maximo Espitia. He can do it all.

The Cal junior is currently listed as a linebacker on the team’s roster, but given how the previous two seasons have transpired, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to find him playing at a new position at some point.

Espitia was originally recruited to be a fullback at Cal. The former high school quarterback was later moved to tight end when former Golden Bears’ head coach Jeff Tedford felt he was better suited at that position. Espitia then became an inside receiver when Sonny Dykes became head coach prior to last season.

While he’s just happy finding a spot where he can play, Espitia admits it can be challenging always changing positions.

“It can be frustrating, not being able to perfect skills at a certain position,” Espitia said. “But I also think it gives me a good perspective, being all around the field. I’m learning different skills at different positions.” Read more.

Cal Football Practice Report – Halfway Mark

BERKELEY – Cal passed the halfway mark of spring football with its eighth practice Saturday at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Head coach Sonny Dykes liked what he witnessed during a fast-paced and high-energy session that followed 70 live plays during Friday’s workout.

“I was really encouraged with the way we rebounded and came back and practiced today,” Dykes said. “I thought we practiced very well. I loved the intensity, and I thought we had pop. Being able to come back and have that kind of focus and intensity was really a step forward for our program.”

“Our mentality today was much better,” Dykes added. “What we did today was come out and have a physical practice right after a long scrimmage. There’s no way we would have been able to do that last year.”

Highlights and notes from the workout in shoulder pads only that was open to the public included …

A 44-yard touchdown run by Kyle Boehm near the end of the final 11-on-11 team session

A 34-yard completion from Jared Goff to Trevor Davis on the second play of the 11-on-11 team period

A pair of 40-yard passes from Goff to two different Harpers (Chris and Austin) during 7-on-7 action early in practice, while Goff would later complete a 12-yard touchdown pass to Darius Powe

A hit by Jalen Jefferson that drew “oohs and aahs” from an enthusiastic crowd

Pass breakups from Griffin Piatt during 11-on-11 work and in 7-on-7 action from Darius Allensworth, Trey Cheek and Maximo Espitia

Appearances by former Cal player and coach Joe Kapp, as well as recent former Bears Ernest Owusu and Kendrick Payne

A juggling reception by Maurice Harris while the team was working on first-down plays

Defensive highlights during first-down work included a second pass breakup by Allensworth and a tackle for loss (-3 yards) by Puka Lopa

A notable player not at practice was Khalfani Muhammad, who instead was leading the Cal men’s track and field team to a victory over Stanford in the Big Meet by running the first leg on the winning 4x100 meter medley relay team (40.52) and placing second in both the 100 (10.60) and 200 meters (21.27), with his time in the 200 the best of his collegiate career

APRIL 11, 2014

Receiving Corps Provides Stability

By Jonathan Okanes

Cal Bear Blog

For a program going through some growing pains as it rebuilds itself in the rugged Pac-12 Conference, there is still one area of the team that stacks up against anyone.

While the Bears are spending the spring continuing to recover from an injury-plagued and disappointing 2013, they can find comfort in the fact that when they line up for their 2014 season-opener at Northwestern on Aug. 30, they should benefit from a deep, experienced and talented group of play-making wide receivers.

“When we’re healthy, we believe we’re the No. 1 receiving corps in the nation,” said sophomore wideout Kenny Lawler, who was a revelation as a redshirt freshman last season when he co-led the Bears with five touchdown catches. “When we’re all healthy, we know we’re going to go up top on some people.” Read more.

Cal Football Practice Report – Heavy Workload

BERKELEY – The Cal football team conducted its seventh practice of the spring Friday at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium with a workout that included approximately 70 plays during two live team sessions in full pads. Cal will hold an open practice at the same location Saturday as part of campus-wide Cal Day festivities. Saturday’s workout is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. PT. Highlights and notes from Friday’s activities included …

The Faculty Fellows program hosted by Cal football that welcomes faculty members to team activities each Friday afternoon during spring practices continued with visitors including Stephen Etter (Haas School of Business), Tia Madkins (Academic Coach) and Martha Olney (Economics). The trio was welcomed by head coach Sonny Dykes and members of the coaching staff before being introduced to the players at a team meeting. Later, they visited the training room, sat in on position meetings and met with football support staff member before taking in practice.

Kenny Lawler had a huge practice with unofficial numbers of nine catches for 160 yards and one touchdown reception during the two live sessions

Cal Football in the News

APRIL 9, 2014

Building A Foundation

Cal’s first-year defensive coordinator has spent the previous two seasons rebuilding a defense at Texas Tech in 2012 and then establishing one of the nation’s top defensive units last season at Cincinnati.

Now, he is looking to do both with a Cal defense that struggled mightily during the 2013 campaign.

“The biggest thing is to give guys a foundation that they can hang their hat on and a base to start from,” Kaufman said. Sometimes we want to go to the end and find the answer before we know what the whole process is, and it’s all a process. For me that brings patience.”

Although Kaufman may have patience, he also knows how to get results quickly.

His defensive unit in his lone season at Cincinnati a year ago was one of the best in the country, ranking in the top 10 nationally in both rushing defense (6th, 104.5 ypg) and total defense (9th, 315.6 ypg), and among the top 30 in 10 of the 11 primary defensive categories tracked in the national stats. Read More.

Cal Football Practice Report – Bears Back in Full Pads

BERKELEY – Cal was back in full pads for the second time in the last three practices during a practice session open to the public Wednesday afternoon at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Highlights and notes from the live team period during the Golden Bears’ sixth practice session of the spring included …

Head Coach Sonny DykesOn the team’s live action“It was sloppy at times. We’ve just got to get better with details. We’ve got to get that stuff worked out, and it’s about that time in spring that it needs to get done. We’ve got to improve in that regard. But the effort has been good and guys are doing what we’ve asked them to do.”

On the team’s offensive line“They’re obviously a lot better. They know what they’re doing. We’re having some continuity in some spots and there’s a semblance of depth … I think we’re a year stronger in the weight room. I think we’re a year more physical. I think we’re a year in better shape. There’s a lot of positives.”

On his relationship with first-year defensive coordinator Art Kaufman“We think the same. We both have the same approach to teaching and coaching and what the game is about from a simplicity standpoint and the focus on fundamentals. When you hire somebody you always think you have a lot in common. Typically you find out there’s less than you anticipated, but I think with Art it’s been more than we anticipated. We’re on the same page, and I feel good about it.”

APRIL 6, 2014

APRIL 5, 2014

Cal Football Practice Report – Bears Go Live

BERKELEY – Cal went live in full pads for the first time Saturday during a practice session open to the public to conclude the first week of spring football on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Highlights and notes from the Golden Bears’ fourth practice session of the spring included …

After uncharacteristically throwing two interceptions during 7-on-7 sessions, Jared Goff rebounded with touchdown passes to Drake Whitehurst, Kenny Lawler, James Grisom and Darius Powe later during 7-on-7 work

Austin Hinder also had a pair of TD connections to Whitehurst and Lawler in 7-on-7 action

Goff started the team’s live 11-on-11 session that concluded practice with a long completion to Lawler down the right sideline and would later connect with Maurice Harris and Austin Harper on three and nine-yard TD passes

Jeffrey Coprich broke off a 50-yard run, while Harper had three carries of nine or more yards each

Former Golden Bear and current Detroit Lions wide receiver and kick/punt returner Jeremy Ross was spotted taking in the practice

Head Coach Sonny DykesOn the team’s first full contact session of the spring“I didn’t think it was great. I thought it was okay. We obviously have to tackle better. We had too many missed tackles. That’s something that has plagued us. We’re trying to get as much of that work in during individual time and build it into our special teams periods. We’re trying to become a more physical football team. That’s something that we have to do. It’s obviously a work in progress. At times we were relatively physical today and other times we were outright not physical. We’ve got to develop that mindset, and we’ve got to become a tough football team.”

On Jared Goff’s practice“He threw a couple of picks early, which was uncharacteristic of him. I thought once we got into the team period he settled down a little bit.”

Quarterback Jared GoffOn his practice“I feel good and a lot more comfortable. There were a bunch of [throws] out there that I’d like to get back. Although I did have a few nice ones, I don’t really want to throw any incompletions during practice. I had some open guys that I missed. It’s a little bit of coming back, a little bit of just losing focus sometimes. I’ll clean that up next week.”

On the team’s confidence level“It’s high right now. I think we’re feeling really good. We put that [last season] in the past. It’s a brand new season, a brand new team, some brand new coaches. We feel good about it.”

APRIL 4, 2014

Q&A With Trevor Kelly

As the California football team continues its first week of spring ball, some of the new players are trying to adjust to life at Cal. One of those new players, junior-college transfer Trevor Kelly has bounced around a bit before ending up in Berkeley. The native of South San Francisco spent his freshman year at Sacramento State before transferring to College of San Mateo for his sophomore season. CalBears.com had a chance to sit down and chat with how Kelly is enjoying his new team.

CalBears.com: What’s been your first impression of the team through the first week of spring ball?

Trevor Kelly: I’m just really thankful and grateful to be a part of this team. I love it at Cal. I’m ready to play football.

CB: How difficult has it been playing on your third team in three years?

TK: The game of football has really changed my life, both in positive and negative ways. I really appreciate the game. As opportunities come, I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity to keep playing, just like with this opportunity to play at Cal. I’m very blessed to be here.

CB: How do you like playing for Coach Tate?

TK: I like Coach Tate; he’s a perfectionist. I’m looking forward to being coached by him. He’s really funny. He has a lot of jokes and one-liners. I respect him a lot. I respect what he’s done for the game. He’s very outgoing. He’s loud, but that’s what you need. He’s going to help everybody on the d-line perfect themselves. Read More.

Cal Spring Football Practice #3 Notes and Quotes

BERKELEY – Highlights and notes from Cal’s third 2014 spring practice on Friday at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium included …

A team meeting prior to practice that included the introduction of six faculty members on hand to take in the day’s activities. The faculty visiting Cal football through a program called Faculty Fellows scheduled to run for each of the first three Fridays of spring practices included Mike Botchan (Molecular & Cell Biology), John Dougherty (Native American Studies), Todd Fitch (Haas School of Business), Andrew Packard (Mechanical Engineering), Jenny Sperling (Culture of Sport in Education) and Felipe Dias (Sociology). The program consists of Cal football players inviting faculty members to take part in the team’s activities for a day and get a glimpse into their lives as football players.

Players putting on shoulder pads for the first time this spring in preparation for Saturday’s first fully padded practice and a live team session

Continued focus on 11-on-11 work that featured highlights by several players including a Jared Goff touchdown pass to Darius Powe, a Goff two-point conversion throw to Austin, several strong runs by Jeffrey Coprich and a halfback option touchdown pass to Kenny Portera on a tipped ball on offense, while defensive highlights included a Michael Barton fumble recovery and a Vachel Samuels pass breakup

QUICK QUOTESHEAD COACH SONNY DYKESOn taking more 11-on-11 snaps this spring“The thing that we came out of the season saying is that we’ve got to learn how to play football. When you have as many young players as we do in our program, you’ve got to teach those young guys how to play football, so that’s why there will be more of an emphasis on 11-on-11 snaps, particularly in the full contact practices where we are tackling and working on it. Obviously, it was not a strength of ours last year. It’s something we’ve got to get better at.”

On the team’s practice schedule this spring“We like the practice schedule and the setup. We think it allows us to take care of our players physically but at the same time make sure we’re getting the work done that we need to get done.”

RUNNING BACK JEFFREY COPRICHOn taking advantage of his opportunities“When I get the opportunity, every time I touch the ball I’m trying to score, trying to get the tug … “[I want to] show the coaches that I’m able to a lot of things and that will real help me a lot.”

APRIL 3, 2014

Davis Digs The Competition

BERKELEY – Trevor Davis did his research before he transferred to Cal and he embraced what he discovered.

“I knew there would be a lot of competition at my position, but that’s one of the main reasons I came here,” Davis explained. “There were so many talented young receivers that I knew if I got a chance to play it would mean that I had to work hard to get there.”

After joining the Golden Bears at the start of training camp last fall following two moderately successful seasons at Hawai’i, Davis did that just that when he toiled on the scout team all season long. While the team’s other receivers were piling up enough catches and yardage to make then freshman quarterback Jared Goff the school’s all-time single-season leader in passing yards and passes completed, the only numbers Davis was racking up were the countless times he elicited “oohs and aahs” from the scout team.

Goff was another player who took notice.

“I wasn’t over there but I would hear stories about the catches Trevor would make on the scout team,” Goff said. “I’d hear them go crazy and I knew Trevor had made another catch. He’s a solid target that I can rely on and he can make every catch on the field. We’re on the same page with everything.”

Goff is not the only one to give Davis a ringing endorsement. Read More.

APRIL 2, 2014

Cal Football Practice Notes and Quotes

BERKELEY – Cal conducted its second workout of the spring on Wednesday with a helmets only practice that included a team period at the end and full 11-on-11 work earlier in the session on third downs that featured highlights on both sides of the ball including …

QUICK QUOTESHEAD COACH SONNY DYKES“Today was a little better. I thought we were a little sluggish Monday, but I thought we moved around faster and crisper today particularly early. I thought we lost our concentration a little bit in the second half of practice and didn’t finish the way you want to, but I thought overall it was good. There are a lot of things we’ve got to get worked out. We’re a major work in progress. There are a lot of things we have to improve on. But our attitude has been good. The guys have been working and they’re doing what we ask them to do. I think we’ve come a long way in terms of learning how we have to practice to do what it takes to be successful. We’ve just got to make sure we get that effort every day and we come out here and concentrate for the two hours that we’re out here and we keep getting better.”

“First two days I’ve been impressed with the wide receivers. We’ve got some depth; we’ve got some guys that can make plays. They’re all different and unique in what they can do. That part of it is fun, just to see them emerge and continue to get better and better.

JUNIOR RUNNING BACK DANIEL LASCO“Things are great, second day of practice. First day was a little bit of a struggle with everybody coming back from spring break, but we got after it today.”

March 31, 2014

Scarlett's Return A Welcome Sight

By Jonathan Okanes

Cal Bear Blog

BERKELEY – Cal’s football team was doing some timed runs when head coach Sonny Dykes had a realization.

No, Scarlett isn’t an incoming freshman who graduated early to go through spring drills with the Bears. Scarlett has been part of Cal’s program since 2011, when he arrived on campus as a high school All-American and one of the top players at his position in the country.

But Monday, which marked the beginning of 2014 spring practice for the Bears, was the first time Scarlett suited up since November of the 2012 season. Multiple breaks in his hand and an ensuing infection forced him to miss all of last year, including spring ball.

Since Scarlett was last on the field, Dykes took over as the team’s head coach. And while he has gotten to know the redshirt junior well off the field, Monday marked the first time Cal’s coach could watch his potentially dominating defensive end do his thing on the Memorial Stadium turf. Read More

BERKELEY – Cal will begin spring football practice sessions at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium with its first of six practices open to the public on Monday, March 31 (3:30 p.m. PT). Cal’s spring workouts will continue for nearly a month before concluding with the 2014 Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management Group to be televised live by the Pac-12 Networks on Saturday, April 26 (11 a.m. PT).

Cal is also scheduled to have open practices on Saturday, April 5 (11:30 a.m.); Wednesday, April 9 (3:30 p.m.); on Cal Day Saturday, April 12 (10 a.m.); and Friday, April 18 (3:30 p.m.).

Admission to all open workouts including the Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management Group will be free.

“We’re excited to be returning to the field for spring practice,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “Our players are dedicated to our program and have been working hard since the end of last season. They are determined to show significant improvement on the field in 2014.”

The Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management Group on April 26 will be an interactive event that gives thousands of Cal fans an opportunity to get to know the Cal football program on an up close basis. Among the wide array of activities scheduled to take place are …

Cal football scrimmage

Opportunities for fans to interact with Cal football players and coaches during on-field football action

Commemorative Cal football schedule posters (first 2,000 fans)

Complimentary coffee and blue & gold donuts (first 2,000 fans)

Fun Zone with face painters, balloon artists and much more

Photo station

Cal Marching Band performance

Additional activities and details to be announced

Several former Cal football players have attended the event in the past and are expected to attend this year. In 2013 Super Bowl champion and NFL All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch made a surprise appearance.

Cal’s 2014 football regular-season schedule features six games at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium and a Friday match-up against Oregon that will be the first collegiate football game at the new Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara on Oct. 24. Cal will host Sacramento State (Sept. 6), Colorado (Sept. 27), Washington (Oct. 11, Alumni & Family Weekend/Homecoming), UCLA (Oct. 18), Stanford (Nov. 22) and BYU (Nov. 29) in Berkeley.

The Bears visit Northwestern (Aug. 31), Arizona (Sept. 20), Washington State (Oct. 4), Oregon State (Nov. 1) and USC (Nov. 13), with the tilt against the Trojans on a Thursday night.

For 2014 ticket information, visit CalBears.com or call (800) GO-BEARS. Season-ticket deposits are now being accepted for the 2014 campaign. The $100 per-seat deposit will guarantee an opportunity to purchase seats in the best available seat locations. Prices start as low as $98 in the New Alumni section, run $225 (adults) and $125 (youth/seniors) in the Gold Zone, and are $300 in most other areas for Cal’s six-game slate at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. The Bears’ contest vs. Oregon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara is sold separately with special pricing for season-ticket holders. For more information, visit the Cal football tickets page on CalBears.com.

See below for all scheduled dates and times of 2014 Cal spring football practices open to the public. Fans can also visit CalBears.com for extensive coverage of the team’s 2014 spring workouts.